The Interior Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland,
Spain and the United Kingdom met in Venice on 11th and 12th May
2007 in order to evaluate possible developments in the areas
of common interest with the aim of contributing to the advancement
of the freedom, security and justice in the European Union.

The attention was focused on migration policy, the fight against
organised crime, drug trafficking and counter-terrorism. These
issues of crucial importance for G6 Countries require a common
response capability.

The Ministers welcomed the progress attained after the previous
meeting held in Stratford-upon-Avon.
In particular, they took note of the progress achieved in the
ongoing research into liquid explosives, the "check the
web" project and the project on the joint support teams
against serious terrorist attacks. Thus, they agreed to further
go on with the exchange of experiences to assist better terrorism
victims.

Moreover, the Ministers took note of the development of the Liaison
Officers' network in the Balkans, of the actions aimed at countering
the trafficking in human beings, of the project relating to the
implementation of integration policies.

Therefore, they agreed to go on with the development of these
initiatives.

Subsequently, the Ministers examined some specific themes and
reached the following conclusions.

MIGRATION

The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of sharing information,
improving co-ordination and supporting each other in their efforts
to govern migration at the European and domestic level. On a
case by case basis, this will include an informal dialogue to
prepare legislation at EU-level.

They note that management of legal migration is an important
factor in fighting illegal immigration and countering criminal
organisations that exploit it, in a comprehensive common approach
of dialogue and cooperation with countries of origin and transit.

The Ministers take note of the initiatives carried out by the
European Commission in the area of legal migration between E.U.
and Third Countries and look forward to the proposals which have
been announced.

The Ministers hold that a mutual knowledge of the different national
experiences is conducive to a fruitful decision-making.

They agreed to regularly proceed to an exchange of information,
experiences and evaluation on the criteria and mechanisms adopted
nationally as regards immigrants' entry and stay in their national
territory.

The Ministers recognise the need to develop work with Third Countries
to tackle the challenge of illegal immigration and will build
on the work started at Stratford.

ORGANISED CRIME AND FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING

The Ministers expressed their concern about the increase in cocaine
production and the sharp growth in its consumption in Europe.

They pointed out that the cocaine route towards Europe originating
from South America and passing through Western and Central Africa
is gaining ground.

While reaffirming G6 Countries' commitment to continue and enhance
the fight against heroin trafficking from Central Asia, particularly
from Afghanistan, the Ministers agreed on the need to promote
initiatives aimed at preventing the entry of cocaine into Europe
through the above-mentioned new route.

To this end, the Maritime Analysis and Operation Centre-Narcotics
(MAOC-N) Project needs to be fully implemented, by extending
the operational area to include also the basin of Western Mediterranean.

It is necessary to establish an African platform of European
Anti-Drug Experts/Liaison Officers stationed in Western Africa
as well as to convene Anti-drug meetings at senior officials
level of G6 Countries and Mediterranean African States.

Moreover, the Ministers welcomed the initiative aimed at developing
more effective techniques to combat document forgery/counterfeiting,
which is an instrument widely used by criminal organisations
in order to commit other more serious crimes.

FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

The Interior Ministers of G6 Countries welcome the European Commission
Vice-President and Justice, Security and Freedom Commissioner
as well as the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, whose attendance
witnesses the importance of developing the Transatlantic Dialogue
on terrorism.

In line with the discussions held during the G6 meeting, G6 Countries
and the U.S.A. are united in condemning terrorism and are committed
to the research of shared solutions to combat it most effectively.

To that end they discussed some areas of possible international
co-operation, that could strengthen States' ability to combat
terrorism.

The Ministers recognized the need to carry on their efforts aimed
at preventing and struggling against radicalization and recruitment.
Moreover, in order to enhance the Transatlantic Dialogue, they
deem it useful to share information, research, analysis, positive
experiences and law enforcement methods in a way that is consistent
with the initiatives under way also in the context of the other
relevant international Fora.

The Ministers agreed on the importance of preventing and pursuing
behaviours inciting the violence and racial hatred.

They welcome the Commission?s intention of mapping the situation
of radicalisation in the EU, of organizing a conference on youth
and radicalisation and of issuing a hand-book of best practices
on what works in the field of violent radicalisation .

They consequently considered a series of approaches that could
help reinforce State security while fully complying with human
rights protection according to international obligations.

The Ministers believe that, in some legally regulated cases,
expulsion related to terrorism has proven to be an effective
tool for States in order to protect their people from foreign
nationals that are believed to pose a threat to national security.

The Ministers discussed the difficulties faced by States in seeking
to implement an effective expulsion policy: the need to protect
national security and the human rights of those who pose a threat.

To that aim, they decided to analyse better the different mechanisms
that exist, including a case by case approach, diplomatic contacts
or assurances, that could be useful under certain circumstances
for promoting, in repatriation States, pattern of conduct compliant
with the international obligations as to the safeguard of human
rights.

They agreed to promote a more in-depth common study about the
different systems and best practices. The need for further consideration
by the European Union in this field has also been underlined.

The Ministers support the ongoing work between EU and USA on
the international legal framework applicable to combating terrorism.
The Ministers of Interior intend to make a contribution to that
dialogue to ensure that all counter-terrorism efforts are fully
taken into account.

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